Camano–Whidbey ferry

The Camano–Whidbey ferry is a historic and proposed ferry route across Saratoga Passage on Puget Sound linking Camano Island and Whidbey Island, the titular islands of Island County, Washington.[1]

Various historic ferries operated on these waters in the early twentieth century,[2] but the routes were eventually abandoned following the construction of the Deception Pass Bridge in 1935 and the modern highways of I-5 and SR 20 shortening the driving time between the two islands.

No ferry currently services the Camano Island–Whidbey Island route, but a modern passenger-only ferry has been proposed and studied.[1][3][4][5] Although private operators are interested in the route, the main impediment is lack of suitable pier access on Camano Island.[6]

Island County
Main article: Island County, Washington

Island County is composed of two main islands, Whidbey and Camano, which are each connected to the mainland via single bridges.

At its narrowest points, Saratoga Passage between the islands is less than two miles wide. No scheduled ferry route exists between the Island County islands despite the short distance separating them.

In comparison the driving distance from bridge-to-bridge is 35 miles and involves traversing both Skagit and Snohomish counties. The distance from Coupeville to mid-island Camano is closer to 60 miles.

The lack of ferry service between the islands is a problem for Island County government officials. In 1995, it was established that (depending on season) 8–20 county employees travel daily from the county seat at Coupeville to Camano Island on inter-island business. These county employees each lose three working hours per day commuting, and together cost the county an average of $27,000 per month in wages and travel costs.[1]

Camano Island residents who have been summoned for jury duty or have other business at the Island County Superior Court in Coupeville are likewise forced to make the lengthy commute.[3][7]

History

In 1925, ferry service began between Utsalady and Oak Harbor on the 16-vehicle Acorn.[2] The car ferry made 12 trips per day between the islands.

References
  1. Island County Ferry Study (PDF) (Report). Island County Public Works Department. May 1995. Retrieved March 28, 2022. The benefits of a Passenger-Only Ferry (POF), however, seem much more attractive. Island Transit indicated a strong commitment to support inter-island transportation by providing bus service from park and ride lots on both islands to passenger ferry docks. This would remove one of the major obstacles to placing ferry terminals on both sides. With this as a possible solution to the connecting transportation and parking problems, the remaining questions are terminal location, capital costs, and operational costs. The study identified the Coupeville Wharf as a logical terminal in Coupeville and the marina in Oak Harbor as another. On Camano Island there are no existing piers suitable for use, but the Yacht Club at Madrona Point has a suitable site for constructing a passenger-only ferry pier, provided that parking is restricted to a few possible spots.
  2. "Camano has been trying to find its way for decades". Stanwood Camano News. Nov 17, 2021. A big improvement happened in 1925 when ferry service began with several daily runs between Utsalady and a dock near Oak Harbor. The diesel-powered "Acorn" held 16 cars and made 12 trips a day and cost $1.50 to $2, depending on weight, for a one-way trip.
  3. Island County Passenger Ferry Feasibility Analysis (PDF) (Report). Island Regional Transportation Planning Organization. March 12, 2020. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  4. Puget Sound Passenger-Only Ferry Study (Report). Puget Sound Regional Council. January 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  5. Whalen, Nathan (July 18, 2008). "Ferry to Camano idea revived". Whidbey News-Times. Retrieved March 28, 2022. For years folks on Central Whidbey Island have been dreaming about ferry service between Coupeville and Camano Island. The Port of Coupeville seems to have taken the lead on the latest attempt to establish service between the two islands. [...] When port officials developed their comprehensive plan, it placed ferry service as one of the goals the port would like to achieve. The port has also been approached by three different businesses about the possibility of providing ferry service.
  6. Burnett, Justin (March 7, 2008). "Camano ferry idea floated". Whidbey Examiner. Retrieved March 29, 2022. It's not the first time an inter-island ferry service has been proposed. One of the most recent proposals came three years ago, when Whidbey SeaTac Shuttle of Oak Harbor proposed a ferry connection. The idea went so far that both the county and port commissioners endorsed it. The proposal fell apart because there was no pier access available on Camano Island appropriate to accommodate a ferry. "It was unfortunate, because the pieces were just falling into place," Patton said. But Dean said two state parks, Camano Island State Park and Cama Beach State Park, might be able to provide pier access.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. "Island County Jury Duty Information". islandcountywa.gov. Island County Superior Court. Retrieved March 29, 2022. I live on Camano Island. Do I still need to report for jury duty? – Yes. Unfortunately, the geographical makeup of Island County means some residents will have a lengthy commute. However, please keep in mind that all jurors called to report for jury duty are paid $10.00 per day and receive mileage reimbursement for travel between their residence and the courthouse. This is paid at the current state-wide accepted mileage rate. Ferry fares are not reimbursed.
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